My son is 17 and will be graduating high school in June; 1 year early. Long story but he’s finishing online as his private school didn’t work out. He has ADHD (unmedicated due to side effects), dyslexic tendencies. He’s smart but extremely forgetful and rather slow in turning in assignments. He’s always had an IEP and extra time on tests. He has some college credit in engineering already; took a college class through Embry Riddle this summer and did extremely well with zero help! My question is this…what engineering colleges do y’all recommend for a younger, more immature student with some learning disabilities?? He’s set on Embry Riddle but I think he’s not mature enough to be away from home yet at a regular campus with thousands of kids. He doesn’t drive, etc but he has had a regular job for over a year. I thought about our local CC for a year BUT I’m afraid if he goes there he will end up not going to a 4 year school. Ideas? Suggestions? Thanks!!!
Is a gap year an option?
I don’t think a gap year is feasible. Husband mad at son for not finishing at regular school and online at home all day. I can’t imagine a gap year would be good for anyone in the household.
Why would he not eventually transfer to a four year school if he starts at a CC?
In terms of four year schools, it may help others help you if you describe his high school record (to get an idea of how admissible he would be), your cost constraints, and your state of residency. Also, whether you think he would have enough self-motivation to manage his time properly (to stay on track with his courses) if he had to live on his own or in a dorm to attend college.
Lots of results from goggling:
http://blog.prepscholar.com/the-18-best-colleges-for-students-with-learning-disabilities (prepscholar)
http://www.special-education-degree.net/top-colleges-open-up-to-special-needs-students/
http://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/20-incredible-colleges-for-special-needs-students/
Can you describe the environment you think would work best for him? Do you think it advisable for him to be geographically close to you, in case he needs in person support?
Thanks nw2this…great info!
ucbalumnus…We live in SC…He has not taken SAT or ACT yet,scheduled for those 2 in March but his PSAT scores were good…I don’t think he can handle his time wisely and turn in assignments on time…he will have to have some sort of learning coach to help him coordinate that…I fear that if he starts CC he will settle in there and not move on…I have seen many kids do this and want a better life for him…It’s achievable but he will need the right environment…He’s immature on a lot of levels; not driving probably do to sensory issues but he attended driving school and did fine…he’s not dating…has only 1 friend…I suppose he’s sheltered…I don’t think he’s been exposed to any drugs/alcohol…He has about $30k in the bank for college, the rest will be loans…His high school record is inconsistent at best…a few A;s and B’s some C’s…He has some college credit in engineering through Embry Riddle and RIT
Justgraduate…I am definitely willing to move wherever he goes to college if need be for support…my husband’s job is in SC but I can leave mine and get another elsewhere…I think he definitely think he needs a learning coordinator…he has done well in the past with his resource teachers keeping him on track of what needs to be turned in and when… they also have helped when he wasn’t sure how to go about starting a project…I see him struggling with that now that he’s online and having to juggle his classes
@Carolina71 What kind of living situation are you looking for? On campus dorm or off campus apartment with you? Would being a part time student to begin with help the transition? I’m looking way further down the line (maybe not a good idea in this situation) and thinking about how to build his life skills during college such that he can live independently and hold a job after he gets his degree. For him, the dual purpose of college vis a vie academics and personal growth is especially important imho
Yes you are right…I’d rather him go to college without me to learn those skills but I’m just not sure how successful he would be…He has worked at Publix for almost 2 years now and has done fine there but we have to make sure he gets up with reminders multiple times and then drive him there…once he gets there he’s independent running a register, stocking, bagging, etc. I think his ideal living situation would be a small dorm with some supervision…learning coach that will help him coordinate everything that he needs to do if there is such a situation IDK
If he hasnt taken standardized tests yet and hs not applied anywhere yet, his options for next fall will be limited. Perhaps continuing with Embry Riddle’s online classes is a temporary plan.
jym626…yes, definitely planning on continuing online at embry riddle if we have to…I wasn’t expecting him to graduate early so that’s why he hasn’t tested yet
Does he have accommodations for standardized testing?
Yes, he does have time and a half for testing…have letter from collegeboard
At this late date, your options are extremely limited. While not desirable, a gap year or starting at a CC are probably your best options. Leaving home to go college is challenging for many 18 year olds, your son is at a disadvantage being 17 with ADHD and executive functioning difficulties . OOS options will most likely be expensive even if you decide to move as most public schools will have residency requirements to have instate tuition . Privates are usually more expensive and most deadlines for need based or merit based options have passed for this year. I’m not trying to be negative, but trying to piece together an option quickly may not be the most beneficial for a child with executive functioning deficits. If your son was a junior in the same position, I would’ve recommended that you look at Wofford College at their pre engineering program. It’s a small LAC with approx 1600 students with strong support and resources. It is expensive , but my experience is that they have been generous with FA, but deadlines have passed. Good luck to you and your son for coming up with the best solution.
With his testing so late, his options would be limited. UAH would accept him with a late test date. Moving to Huntsville would be a pleasant experience for anyone anywhere since it is FILLED with very smart transplants from everywhere. I believe that HSV has the highest concentration of PhDs. It’s called Rocket City or Geek City because of all the brainy folks.
UAH is smallish and sits in Cummings Research Park, which is the 2nd largest research park in the world. Profs know their students. UAH has lovely buildings and excellent STEM facilities, including a new Eng’g facilities.
Because CRP is right there, tons of Co-op and internships…and kids to right to jobs upon graduation.
Frankly, with your type of son, I would recommend a co-op experience because I feel that ADHD kids do better when they can get right into their forte.
I would recommend moving ASAP to get instate rates. Low cost housing can be found in the county area which is only about 5 miles away from UAH. There is an int’l airport 5 minutes from campus.
This is what I would suggest…
Move as soon as you can to establish residency. Have your son start at the local CC which is very close to UAH. Pay OOS for that year. Then apply to UAH. The family must move to establish residency.
I think if he starts at a Univ with OOS rates, he likely will not be able to change his status.
I’m from Calif, but I lived in a small Huntsville suburb for about 10 years before moving more south. HSV is very much “not southern”. You’ll rarely hear an accent and your friends and neighbors will be from all over the country. Well, you might hear a NE or Midwest accent…lol. Our parish had a LOT of Midwest folks!
the HSV area has wonderful shopping (Bridge Street is best) and a ton of very good restaurants. Bridge Street is about a mile away from UAH.
Depending on your housing budget…the nicest homes go for $300k-1M+. However, you can still find nice homes for under $300k…even lower if in a more county area. I remember when my housekeeper bought a brick home on an acre for less than $100k.
The best homes are brick. Those are also the safest in case of tornados.
@mom2collegekids OP is from SC , so staying south may actually be a good thing.
UAH sounds like a solid option. If you’re willing to go further (and bigger), the University of Arizona has a strong engineering program, and a highly regarded program for kids with learning disabilities and attention issues (the SALT Center).
I think UAZ is too big for this student. I think he needs a smaller experience.